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Schiano Says Bowers’ Drive “Needs To Be Better”

August 6th, 2013

The Bucs have gambled big time on Da’Quan Bowers’ ability to be a stout every-down defensive end.

In fact, Greg Schiano’s on record expecting Bowers to record double-digit sacks. Asked about Bowers today after practice, Schiano said he wants No. 91 to play with more drive. It was clear that Schiano is somewhat disappointed in what he’s seen from Bowers to date.

“I want to see him play hard, play after play, after play, after play,” Schiano said.

Schiano went on to say Bowers has been performing “on and off” in training camp and Bowers playing hard in the every-down role “needs to be better.”

The move from situational pass rusher to an every down player, Schiano said, is as challenging as transitioning in baseball from reliever to starting pitcher.

As Joe wrote last week, the Bucs have not been wowed by Bowers in training camp. That’s not to say they’re down on his ability, more like he’s gotten a disappointing grade of C- versus the A- they might have been expecting.

For the Bucs to be a playoff team, they need high grades — consistently — from Bowers.

I really hope Daquan works out but I don’t have a great feeling about him as a starting def. end. They invested a second round pick in the guy so their going to give him a few chances to succeed but these updates sound bad. I predict him to have a disappointing year but hope I’m wrong.

Another example of the Bucs outsmarting themselves here. You spend all that $ on your secondary, but don’t do anything on the D-line when everyone was clamoring for a lineman (or 2). They have a lot of good things going, but in a year where there were so many DE that were willing to platoon and the Bucs w a need for a platoon DE… this is a bonehead move by Dom, confirming our earlier concerns. Fans know this team better than we get credit for.

qp I don’t think Bennett’s shoulder is healthy. it was said that he required surgery. I doubt he had the surgery or he would not be practicing already. Which means h is one hit or wrong extenson away from the Disabled List and the knife. Although keeping Bennett would have been nice I am tired of people acting like he was an ALL Pro. He was adequate but not special why not gamble. I doubt the combination of players the bucs use this year will be worse and the potential upside is greater.